RFID systems for use with tires

Abstract

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for use with tires include a stud comprising reactive strap technology including an RFID chip and conductor. The stud is configured so as to be connected to a tire and to provide near field communication. The stud also may be coupled to an antenna structure to provide a far field RFID tag. The stud may unintentionally move with respect to the antenna structure during use, so the antenna structure may be configured to accommodate such movement without a change in the tuning of the RFID tag. A multi-antenna label may be provided to allow for selective coupling of the stud to a particular antenna, with differently configured tires being coupled to different antennas of the same type of multi-antenna label, which allows for the same label configuration to be used with a wider variety of tires.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for use with a tire comprising:
 a stud, wherein the stud comprises a reactive strap comprising an RFID chip and a conductor, the stud being configured so as to be connected to a tire and to provide near field communication; and 
 an antenna structure disposed on an internal surface or external surface of the tire or embedded in the tire, wherein the antenna structure is coupled with the stud via magnetic fields, electric fields, or a combination of magnetic and electric fields, so as to form a far field RFID tag. 
 
     
     
       2. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the stud comprises an adhesive component configured for connection to a surface of the tire, with the RFID chip and conductor located between thin layers of a material of the adhesive component, and with an outer surface of one of the thin layers further comprising an adhesive. 
     
     
       3. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the stud comprises a body that encapsulates the RFID chip and conductor and is configured for insertion into a tread area or sidewall of the tire. 
     
     
       4. The RFID system of  claim 3 , wherein an epoxy or acrylic material is used to encapsulate the RFID chip and conductor. 
     
     
       5. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the stud is incorporated into a label that is configured to be affixed to an internal surface or an external surface of the tire using adhesive. 
     
     
       6. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the stud is incorporated into a label that is configured to be affixed to an internal surface of the tire by being vulcanized into the tire. 
     
     
       7. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure further comprises an adaptive far field antenna that provides relatively constant coupling with the stud. 
     
     
       8. The RFID system of  claim 7 , wherein the adaptive far field antenna comprises first and second parallel elements and the stud comprises a nominal mounting position between the first and second parallel elements, such that a relative movement of the stud toward and an increase in coupling with the first parallel element coincides with movement of the stud away from and a decrease in coupling with the second parallel element, so as to yield a relatively constant net coupling with the antenna structure. 
     
     
       9. The RFID system of  claim 8 , wherein coupling of the stud with the antenna structure during relative movement of the stud parallel to the first and second parallel elements of the adaptive far field antenna remains relatively constant due to the parallel elements being symmetrical over a length of the relative movement. 
     
     
       10. The RFID system of  claim 8 , wherein the antenna structure further comprises a tuning loop that has a bypass element that includes a third parallel element that runs parallel to and extends beyond the first and second parallel elements. 
     
     
       11. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure further comprises an adhesive to connect to an internal surface or an external surface of the tire. 
     
     
       12. The RFID system of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna structure is removable from the tire. 
     
     
       13. The RFID system of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure is configured for placement relative to the stud in two or more orientations. 
     
     
       14. The RFID system of  claim 13 , wherein the antenna structure further comprises a dipole antenna. 
     
     
       15. A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for use with a tire comprising:
 a stud, wherein the stud comprises a reactive strap comprising an RFID chip and a conductor, the stud being configured so as to be connected to a tire and to provide near field communication; and 
 an antenna structure comprising a multi-antenna label, 
 wherein an RFID tag is formed by coupling of the stud and the multi-antenna label, depending on positioning of the respective antennas within the multi-antenna label relative to the stud. 
 
     
     
       16. The RFID system of  claim 15 , wherein characteristics of an RFID tag formed by placement of the antenna structure in proximity to the stud are changed by altering the relative registration of the antenna structure and the stud.